What do you think?
Rate this book
Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries #11
Give Up the Ghost
Some secrets should stay buried.
Ghost hunter Verity Long is no stranger to scandal. In fact, it seems to follow her around like her pet skunk, Lucy. But Verity is as shocked as anybody when a town relic discovered in a time capsule unleashes a torrent of secrets that lead to murder.
Trouble is, the only residents in Sugarland who know the truth behind the scandal also happen to be very dead themselves. With a killer on the loose and a town in crisis, Verity braves a side of Sugarland she's never seen before. From a booby-trapped haunted mansion to a run-in with the spirit of Sugarland's most notorious blackmailer who may hold the key to setting mob ghost Frankie free...for a price.
But when a live killer gets an inside track on Verity's investigation, will she live long enough to give up the ghost?
Ghost hunter Verity Long is no stranger to scandal. In fact, it seems to follow her around like her pet skunk, Lucy. But Verity is as shocked as anybody when a town relic discovered in a time capsule unleashes a torrent of secrets that lead to murder.
Trouble is, the only residents in Sugarland who know the truth behind the scandal also happen to be very dead themselves. With a killer on the loose and a town in crisis, Verity braves a side of Sugarland she's never seen before. From a booby-trapped haunted mansion to a run-in with the spirit of Sugarland's most notorious blackmailer who may hold the key to setting mob ghost Frankie free...for a price.
But when a live killer gets an inside track on Verity's investigation, will she live long enough to give up the ghost?
286 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 31, 2022
285 people are currently reading
473 people want to read
About the author
Angie Fox
64 books2,722 followersNew York Times and USA Today bestselling author Angie Fox writes sweet, fun, action-packed mysteries. Her characters are clever and fearless, but in real life, Angie is afraid of basements, bees, and going up stairs when it is dark behind her. Let’s face it. Angie wouldn’t last five minutes in one of her books.
Angie is best known for her SOUTHERN SPIRITS™ mysteries, and for her ACCIDENTAL DEMON SLAYER books.
Visit Angie at www.angiefox.com.
Angie is best known for her SOUTHERN SPIRITS™ mysteries, and for her ACCIDENTAL DEMON SLAYER books.
Visit Angie at www.angiefox.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 190 reviews
May 31, 2022
Give Up the Ghost by Angie Fox
Southern Ghost Hunter mystery series book 10. Cozy mystery style. Best read as part of the series in order.
The opened time capsules reveals an infamous blackmail book owned by the late Emma Mae, owner of the local hair salon. As salacious scandal get released, Verity investigates with the help of Frankie and her ghost sight. Verity’s soft and generous heart has her helping a woman she never would have expected to need support.
Ghost hunting and scandal. Another fun adventure with Verity, Frankie, the pet skunk and the rest of the towns recurring characters. A step back from the scary and horror a couple of books back, this is more small town and Frankie antics that we’ve enjoyed through the series.
Amusing and a bit of comeuppance for one character that needed it.
Southern Ghost Hunter mystery series book 10. Cozy mystery style. Best read as part of the series in order.
The opened time capsules reveals an infamous blackmail book owned by the late Emma Mae, owner of the local hair salon. As salacious scandal get released, Verity investigates with the help of Frankie and her ghost sight. Verity’s soft and generous heart has her helping a woman she never would have expected to need support.
Ghost hunting and scandal. Another fun adventure with Verity, Frankie, the pet skunk and the rest of the towns recurring characters. A step back from the scary and horror a couple of books back, this is more small town and Frankie antics that we’ve enjoyed through the series.
Amusing and a bit of comeuppance for one character that needed it.
June 11, 2022
Secrets, secrets and more secrets. Fodder for the gossip mill or basis for murder? We have it all in this one and Verity, Ellis and Ellis' mommy dearest Virginia are up to their necks in it all. Verity can sure use Frankie, but he is more concerned with his racehorse right now. But Verity gets his attention when a nasty spirit tells them that she grounded her ghost sister, but the sister got free. How? Frankie wants to know and I mean he really wants to know.
It all began with the opening of a time capsule that was supposed to be buried for 100 years, but got dug up for the expansion of the High School football stadium 65 years early and one of the items lead to murder and the unleashing of a lot of secrets. Secrets that Virginia Wydell really doesn't want reveled.
Verity really needs Frankie's help and they both need the help of a ghost who did nothing in life but stir up trouble and knew everyone's dirty secrets and profited from them. She won't tell Frankie how to get ungrounded unless they return her burn book. Verity wants to solve the murder, Frankie just wants to find the book.
My thanks to Moose Island Books, Publisher, and Angie Fox, author, for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.
It all began with the opening of a time capsule that was supposed to be buried for 100 years, but got dug up for the expansion of the High School football stadium 65 years early and one of the items lead to murder and the unleashing of a lot of secrets. Secrets that Virginia Wydell really doesn't want reveled.
Verity really needs Frankie's help and they both need the help of a ghost who did nothing in life but stir up trouble and knew everyone's dirty secrets and profited from them. She won't tell Frankie how to get ungrounded unless they return her burn book. Verity wants to solve the murder, Frankie just wants to find the book.
My thanks to Moose Island Books, Publisher, and Angie Fox, author, for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.
September 12, 2022
Cute, quirky paranormal mystery.
As always entertaining good fun.
As always entertaining good fun.
May 31, 2024
3.5 stars. This was a good addition to the series. A character that needed growth and development finally received it. I felt like this book had a bit of a different tone of other books. It has less Frankie, and less group adventures. I feel like the relationship development is also pretty minimal. In terms of the cozy mystery part, it was interesting but they didn't introduce many suspects to even choose from. I do appreciate the banter. I do agree with other reviews commenting on Verity's flaw of assuming she is always correct. This is a bit of an annoying flaw.
May 23, 2022
Verity Long is back along with Frankie and Lucy for another adventure. Sugarland is opening the time capsule early, and they find an unexpected item inside. Erma Sue’s Burn Book is an item to be feared. She collected secrets and kept them in the book. Erma Sue used the secrets she had obtained as the town beautician to blackmail many residents of Sugarland. Her daughter, Twyla Sue reclaims the book and puts it in a place of honor in the hair salon. Unfortunately, it puts a target on Twyla Sue’s back. Ellis and Verity are on a picnic when he gets an urgent call. Twyla Sue is dead and someone unexpected is accused of the crime. It is the last person Verity wishes to help, but she will do anything for Ellis. Verity along with Lucy and Frankie must work to prove this person is innocent. Give Up the Ghost by Angie Foxy is the eleventh book in The Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries. Each book can be read as a standalone, but you will be missing out on some entertaining stories. This is a light, fun tale that will have you laughing frequently. I thought Five Up the Ghost was well-written with fast pacing. There is a great cast of characters. I always enjoy my visits to Sugarland. You never know what mischief Frankie the German is cooking up. Frankie has horseracing on the brain and brings an unwanted guest to stay on Verity’s porch. Lucy, though, is thrilled with the newcomer. I loved the scenes with Lucy and the ghost animals. They are so sweet and amusing. Verity has come a long way since Southern Spirits. Verity will need to be strong if she is to solve this mystery. Verity encounters some unusual and dangerous things on the ghostly plane. Those who are familiar with the series will be delighted with who gets their comeuppance. I loved following the case and solving the whodunit. The author created an entertaining and humorous mystery. The one question that has been a running theme throughout the series is finally answered much to one ghosts’ relief. I loved the ending. It was very special. I cannot wait for the next installment. Give Up The Ghost is a diverting tale with a beauticians burn book, a horse on the porch, a spirited skunk, galloping goats, a booby-trapped abode, a tried-and-true trap, a rattled realtor, a resentful sister, and an astonishing surprise.
July 2, 2022
My third in this series although it is the eleventh instalment, sometimes Verity Long would like to forget that she lives with the ghost of a 1920s gangster. But the reluctant housemates must work together in Sugarland, Tennessee when a town relic, a sequin-covered book, is discovered in a time capsule dating back to 1985 at the time when Verity's mum's class were graduating. Secrets are released, leading to a murder.
I love Angie Fox’s fun and humorous writing style and I thought the plot was wonderfully engaging and imaginative. If you are a fan of cozy mysteries, then you need to check out Give Up the Ghost. It's comical, and it will definitely keep you guessing. This very happy reader highly recommends it!
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Author Collective 20, Moose Island Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
I love Angie Fox’s fun and humorous writing style and I thought the plot was wonderfully engaging and imaginative. If you are a fan of cozy mysteries, then you need to check out Give Up the Ghost. It's comical, and it will definitely keep you guessing. This very happy reader highly recommends it!
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Author Collective 20, Moose Island Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
June 2, 2022
We are back almost at the point we left before, with the time capsule, about to reveal its contents. Everyone is surprised to discover an additional object in there, starting up a series of events that end up in the murder of the owner. Verity now has to track down the original owner to discover what lurks behind. Very entertaining!
Now I finally figured out my issue last book, it's Verity. I'm not sure if this has happened since the beginning and the honeymoon phase it's just expiring or it's just in recent books, but I find Verity very annoying. Whatever she does is right, whatever she says is correct and there is no way she could ever entertain being wrong in any way, and at times, I just can't deal with her crap anymore. When something doesn't go her way or is not acceptable then is someone else's fault and she does not mince her words against them. Also, I found part of the mystery kind of flat? The actual murderer and the discovery of them (neutral gender) was kind of easy and she just stumbled into it instead of actually investigating anything.
Besides that, I found Frankie's story very entertaining and I wanted him to keep everything he wanted, I mean it is also his place, just saying. Sadly, he was not in a lot of scenes, the same with Ellis, which base on the way the story was going it kind of made sense to have a come to Jesus moment with her mother but didn't happen. I want to know more about Duranja, I feel like there is a story behind his animosity with Verity and I'll be completely honest, I liked him more than Verity this time around, he was a hero!
Based on this read I wouldn't consider myself a fan of the series anymore, but I am interested in the next book since all the other characters have my attention!
Now I finally figured out my issue last book, it's Verity. I'm not sure if this has happened since the beginning and the honeymoon phase it's just expiring or it's just in recent books, but I find Verity very annoying. Whatever she does is right, whatever she says is correct and there is no way she could ever entertain being wrong in any way, and at times, I just can't deal with her crap anymore. When something doesn't go her way or is not acceptable then is someone else's fault and she does not mince her words against them. Also, I found part of the mystery kind of flat? The actual murderer and the discovery of them (neutral gender) was kind of easy and she just stumbled into it instead of actually investigating anything.
Besides that, I found Frankie's story very entertaining and I wanted him to keep everything he wanted, I mean it is also his place, just saying. Sadly, he was not in a lot of scenes, the same with Ellis, which base on the way the story was going it kind of made sense to have a come to Jesus moment with her mother but didn't happen. I want to know more about Duranja, I feel like there is a story behind his animosity with Verity and I'll be completely honest, I liked him more than Verity this time around, he was a hero!
Based on this read I wouldn't consider myself a fan of the series anymore, but I am interested in the next book since all the other characters have my attention!
October 17, 2022
I have read almost all the previous books in this series and am a great fan so it was a treat reading this one just before Halloween.
Frankie is my favourite character and I enjoyed the high jinks. It was also good to see Virginia get her comeuppance (finally). The ending was in the storage facility was unexpected but thrilling!
Frankie is my favourite character and I enjoyed the high jinks. It was also good to see Virginia get her comeuppance (finally). The ending was in the storage facility was unexpected but thrilling!
June 1, 2022
In this 11th installment verity has to deal with some secrets that should have stayed secret.
After the early opening of the time capsule. The people of sugarland are shockedat to discover an unexpected item they thought was buried forever. Erma sue‘s book of secrets, that she used to blackmail the citizens of Sugarland. When there is a death and the book goes missing. Verity has to figure out who the killer is and who wanted the book gone. Franky is rather more interested that the might after all be a way to free.
I absolutely love the southern Ghost Hunter Mystery Series and this book did not disappoint. It was fun spending time with the characters we’ve grown to love. Verity is always willing to help others and is just overall good hearted.Franky is still Franky he loves to steal and make veritys life a bit more complicated. He even gets some new friends. A character who really shines in this one is the queen herself Virginia Wydell She is for the first time, held accountable for her actions and has some amends to do .She still has a Long way to go but I warmed up toward her and am starting to like her.
The plot was good and interesting. It keeps you interested and reading wich is what I want from my books. The mystery was good set up and executed.
Would highly Recommended for all who loved the previous books or like paranormal Mysterys.
Arc provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
After the early opening of the time capsule. The people of sugarland are shockedat to discover an unexpected item they thought was buried forever. Erma sue‘s book of secrets, that she used to blackmail the citizens of Sugarland. When there is a death and the book goes missing. Verity has to figure out who the killer is and who wanted the book gone. Franky is rather more interested that the might after all be a way to free.
I absolutely love the southern Ghost Hunter Mystery Series and this book did not disappoint. It was fun spending time with the characters we’ve grown to love. Verity is always willing to help others and is just overall good hearted.Franky is still Franky he loves to steal and make veritys life a bit more complicated. He even gets some new friends. A character who really shines in this one is the queen herself Virginia Wydell She is for the first time, held accountable for her actions and has some amends to do .She still has a Long way to go but I warmed up toward her and am starting to like her.
The plot was good and interesting. It keeps you interested and reading wich is what I want from my books. The mystery was good set up and executed.
Would highly Recommended for all who loved the previous books or like paranormal Mysterys.
Arc provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
May 25, 2022
Hateful secrets are best kept hidden especially in a town like Sugarland where gossip is the local currency. A blackmailer's book of secrets, discovered in a time capsule, induces a chain reaction leading to mayhem and murder.
As an absolute fan of this series, from the first page of the inaugural book, this is the story I craved. It was so worth the wait. The build-up to this moment illustrates Angie Fox's strengths as an author who heightened anticipation with each subsequent book. And, finally, we are here!
Give Up The Ghost visits with each of the characters we've grown to love. Verity Long, our heroine, who is just as wonderful in her fortitude as she has always been. Lucy the skunk is sweet, playful and mischievous. Frankie the ghost - well - as any reader of the series knows, he's going to throw a wrench into any plan and cause much upheaval. Many of the favourite townspeople also appear treating the reader to both villains and heroes.
As for the plot, I hesitate to give even a single thing away. It's beautifully written with a mystery that will keep the reader guessing until the culprit is revealed.
Highly recommended for people who love a paranormal mystery with a playful amount of sass!
Thank you to Netgalley and Angie Fox for the privilege of reading this e-Arc. As always, my opinions are my own, honest and true.
As an absolute fan of this series, from the first page of the inaugural book, this is the story I craved. It was so worth the wait. The build-up to this moment illustrates Angie Fox's strengths as an author who heightened anticipation with each subsequent book. And, finally, we are here!
Give Up The Ghost visits with each of the characters we've grown to love. Verity Long, our heroine, who is just as wonderful in her fortitude as she has always been. Lucy the skunk is sweet, playful and mischievous. Frankie the ghost - well - as any reader of the series knows, he's going to throw a wrench into any plan and cause much upheaval. Many of the favourite townspeople also appear treating the reader to both villains and heroes.
As for the plot, I hesitate to give even a single thing away. It's beautifully written with a mystery that will keep the reader guessing until the culprit is revealed.
Highly recommended for people who love a paranormal mystery with a playful amount of sass!
Thank you to Netgalley and Angie Fox for the privilege of reading this e-Arc. As always, my opinions are my own, honest and true.
May 30, 2022
The 11th book in Ms. Fox's Southern Ghost Hunter mystery series is another winner!
Action packed with so many revelations regarding the citizens of Sugarland kept Verity and Frankie connected throughout this one. A tightly woven plot with multiple suspects including Virginia Wydell, plenty of twists, a burn book with dark secrets for many of the Sugarland residents, Frankie shenanigans, more than one ghost for Frankie and Verity to interview and sweet Lucy misbehaving in this one kept me turning the pages. I love visiting Sugarland and it was good to catch up with my favorite characters.
I voluntarily read a digital Advance Reader Copy of this book. All of the above opinions are my own.
Action packed with so many revelations regarding the citizens of Sugarland kept Verity and Frankie connected throughout this one. A tightly woven plot with multiple suspects including Virginia Wydell, plenty of twists, a burn book with dark secrets for many of the Sugarland residents, Frankie shenanigans, more than one ghost for Frankie and Verity to interview and sweet Lucy misbehaving in this one kept me turning the pages. I love visiting Sugarland and it was good to catch up with my favorite characters.
I voluntarily read a digital Advance Reader Copy of this book. All of the above opinions are my own.
June 2, 2022
When a relic from the past shows up at the opening of the
Sugar Land H.S.'s time capsule, everyone is in shock.
And someone is willing to kill to get their hands on it.
And the ghosts who originally owned it makes a deal with
Verity and Frank to get it back in exchange for information
on how Frank can break away from his entrapment at Verity's home.
Verity's on the hunt for the killer with Frankie's help.
And the Queen of Mean of Sugarland gets taken down a notch or two.
Who knows? She may even prove to be human after all.
Angie Fox has woven such a wild tale with so many surprises that all I can say is I'm in total shock.
Sugar Land H.S.'s time capsule, everyone is in shock.
And someone is willing to kill to get their hands on it.
And the ghosts who originally owned it makes a deal with
Verity and Frank to get it back in exchange for information
on how Frank can break away from his entrapment at Verity's home.
Verity's on the hunt for the killer with Frankie's help.
And the Queen of Mean of Sugarland gets taken down a notch or two.
Who knows? She may even prove to be human after all.
Angie Fox has woven such a wild tale with so many surprises that all I can say is I'm in total shock.
June 4, 2022
This book was amazing and had all the feels! Frankie is driving Verity crazy with his new venture into horse racing and Lucy is loving all her new friends Frankie has brought home. We see Virginia finally get taken down several notches with a surprisingly wonderful result! And Frankie at long last has hope that he might free himself one day. I do wish Verity had been able to help Rowena (Erma Sue’s sister) get over her anger so the house would be livable but this whole book was fantastic from cover to cover! I can’t wait to see what happens next!
May 31, 2022
I absotively posilutely adored this book. It’s my favourite in the series so far. The murder mystery was well written & It was lovely to see things go so well For Verity & Frankie. As for cutie pie Lucy & her new friends, So adorable & sweet it made me smile so much my cheeks hurt :D
June 11, 2022
Love this series
I love this series, the mystery, the on characters and the ghosts. Give up the Ghost was a fresh story line and I love how Verity is forced to work with Virginia.
I love this series, the mystery, the on characters and the ghosts. Give up the Ghost was a fresh story line and I love how Verity is forced to work with Virginia.
June 17, 2022
4.5 Stars:)
May 21, 2022
***I received an ARC from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review
In book #11 of the Southern Ghost Hunter Mystery Series, when the time capsule is opened, Erma Sue’s Burn Book is discovered in the capsule. No one knows how it got there or who put it there, and it wasn't listed as one of the items that was supposed to be in the capsule. Everyone in the town of Sugarland fears that burn book.... it contains pages on pretty much every single resident, airing all their dirty secrets. Erma Sue's daughter demands the return of her mother's book and then threatens the entire town that she can and will use the secrets within those pages, putting a target on her own back. Ghost Hunter Verity Long, her ghost sidekick Frankie, and her pet skunk Lucy are on the case. Verity braves a side of Sugarland she's never seen before. From a booby-trapped haunted mansion to a run-in with the spirit of Sugarland's most notorious blackmailer who may hold the key to setting mob ghost Frankie free...for a price.
I love this series. This was a light, fun read, with a good mystery. I love Verity...she has a lot of spunk and is not afraid to stand up to her boyfriend's overbearing and formidable mother, Virginia. In fact, she may be the only one in town who isn't, besides Ellis. The scenes with Lucy playing with the ghost animals had me laughing, and there were plenty of other scenes that made me smile. If you are wanting a light paranormal murder mystery then this is the book for you. Even though this is part of a series, these can be read as a stand-alone, but I am sure if you read one you will be hooked and want to read them all.
In book #11 of the Southern Ghost Hunter Mystery Series, when the time capsule is opened, Erma Sue’s Burn Book is discovered in the capsule. No one knows how it got there or who put it there, and it wasn't listed as one of the items that was supposed to be in the capsule. Everyone in the town of Sugarland fears that burn book.... it contains pages on pretty much every single resident, airing all their dirty secrets. Erma Sue's daughter demands the return of her mother's book and then threatens the entire town that she can and will use the secrets within those pages, putting a target on her own back. Ghost Hunter Verity Long, her ghost sidekick Frankie, and her pet skunk Lucy are on the case. Verity braves a side of Sugarland she's never seen before. From a booby-trapped haunted mansion to a run-in with the spirit of Sugarland's most notorious blackmailer who may hold the key to setting mob ghost Frankie free...for a price.
I love this series. This was a light, fun read, with a good mystery. I love Verity...she has a lot of spunk and is not afraid to stand up to her boyfriend's overbearing and formidable mother, Virginia. In fact, she may be the only one in town who isn't, besides Ellis. The scenes with Lucy playing with the ghost animals had me laughing, and there were plenty of other scenes that made me smile. If you are wanting a light paranormal murder mystery then this is the book for you. Even though this is part of a series, these can be read as a stand-alone, but I am sure if you read one you will be hooked and want to read them all.
July 17, 2022
It starts with a bang and the descriptions are so vivid, it feels like I was part of the crowd.
With a looming scandal threatening the peace in Sugarland, Verity and Frankie must get to the bottom of it all and prevent bloodshed. An infamous book of scandals is on the loose along with a murderer. The list of possible suspects is about as big as the population of the town. And have they perhaps found the key to Frankie's freedom?
Verity’s curiosity and her previous success in solving murders of course mean that she cannot stay away. The plot seemed a bit convoluted at times, with vengeful ghosts, a second book of secrets, Frankie’s usual side-hustle, and Virginia’s world falling apart. There was a lot going on, and when the murderer was revealed, it felt a bit anti-climactic. And it would be great so see more of Verity and Ellis. It feels as if their relationship is standing still at the moment. Still love Ellis, though.
But I just loved the witty dialogue and engaging writing style. After 11 books in the series, I am by no means tired yet of Verity and Frankie. It’s a book I just couldn’t put down. If you think you can stop at the end of a chapter, forget about it. Five more minutes quickly becomes the entire evening in the blink of an eye.
I can definitely recommend this series if you like paranormal stories with suspense. And ghosts, of course. Each one stands well on its own and you don’t have to read them in order. But the characters do grow and change and do new things.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 11, 2024
This one threw me for loop in the beginning as it was so close in time and story to the previous one that I had thought I already read it. Once the mystery started, boy did it. Especially for Virginia. I loved this aspect but still feel like Verity never really gave her what she deserved. I know I know, Verity is a nice girl. Nice girl doesn’t mean door mat.
I stated previously that I wouldn’t give any of these books more than 2 stars until the author figured out Verity’s money issues and still don’t know why we have to continually listen to this. Why can’t she at least get a part time job or go work in Lauralee’s food truck? It is driving me nuts that she just sits around like you she can’t work.
The Frankie character is also becoming a huge issue. He has had no character growth, and we are book 11. I know he is a ghost but after all this time he should start showing some respect for Verity and being a little more helpful. I also get annoyed when Verity is annoyed by Frankie’s antics. She can’t see them unless he lets her so why does she worry so much about it. It just drags the stories down so bad for me now.
Sorry I got off track from the mystery. It will be interesting to see how all the blackmail and secrets impact Verity, her grandmother, Virginia, Ellis and the town. I liked how mean the blackmailer with her demands and her desire to continue it in the afterlife.
I am at the point where I have to take a break from each book. I am just not enjoying them as much anymore.
I stated previously that I wouldn’t give any of these books more than 2 stars until the author figured out Verity’s money issues and still don’t know why we have to continually listen to this. Why can’t she at least get a part time job or go work in Lauralee’s food truck? It is driving me nuts that she just sits around like you she can’t work.
The Frankie character is also becoming a huge issue. He has had no character growth, and we are book 11. I know he is a ghost but after all this time he should start showing some respect for Verity and being a little more helpful. I also get annoyed when Verity is annoyed by Frankie’s antics. She can’t see them unless he lets her so why does she worry so much about it. It just drags the stories down so bad for me now.
Sorry I got off track from the mystery. It will be interesting to see how all the blackmail and secrets impact Verity, her grandmother, Virginia, Ellis and the town. I liked how mean the blackmailer with her demands and her desire to continue it in the afterlife.
I am at the point where I have to take a break from each book. I am just not enjoying them as much anymore.
July 31, 2022
If you've had the same favourite authors list for a very long time, pay attention!
Ever since I started to read books in their own language my Top 10 Urban Fantasy & Top 10 Paranormal ( cozy) Mystery has changed a lot. And even though Give up the Ghost isn't Angie Fox' best Southern Ghost Hunter book she still shows my in 2018 updated Favourites list (for both: Top Paranormal Mystery & Urban Fantasy authors) has her name on it for a reason.
If this is the first Angie Fox you're picking up, I'm telling you that this particular volume is probably the least 'stand-alone' of the bunch. Even though each book has its separate story and that mystery will be started and solved within the pages of that title, this novel has so many references to the longer red thread & events of previous books I'm not sure this is the way to begin Southern Ghost Hunter. Personally I think - despite different mysteries and/or murders in each book - this is a series which has buildups and larger stories throughout: newbies better start with title one. You won't regret it!
Angie Fox manages to write her characters to such an extent you really get a good idea of who they are. They'll remind you of a classmate, neighbour or family member and will infuriate or amuse you in equal ways. Authors that can make me laugh or anger, while keeping me on the edge of my seat are few and far between. But Angie Fox is definitely one of them, even in titles I consider “not as awesome” like Give up the Ghost. (PS. Definitely check out her Accidental Demon Slayer series too. Fun!)
Speaking of emotion : If you've loathed Virginia as much as I did in previous books you're definitely in for a surprise. Verity is finally standing up to her; speaking the truth she kept boiling inside for years. What's more: circumstances might force the Ice Queen of Sugarland to listen. Why!? Well, that is part of the plot, and would be a spoiler you'll never forgive.
It is one of the better parts of Give up the Ghost though, the book in which we finally learn what was in the small box, the last item in the Time Capsule of the previous book. During the waiting period for this title I wondered if it might be Frankie's favourite gun. But nope... It is an all-out feared 'artefact' in the town of Sugarland and bound to cause strife and misery amongst its inhabitants. It does. Not surprisingly – we're talking a Southern Ghost Hunter book here -, it is also the cause of a murder. One our favourite Ghost Whisperer Verity Long wants to solve more than ever. Because this time it could blacken big love Ellis' reputation.
Even though the charm of Sugarland's characters, the wonderful relationship between Ellis and Verity, the annoying antics of Frankie and the twists within the plot are part of this title again, Fox simply gave more in earlier titles. More of everything. More excitement. More (ghost)horror. More unexpected turns. Even more emotion. And that's despite the confrontation (s) between Virginia and Verity.
Not sure why I felt it like this, but to me Give up the Ghost not only felt as a weaker continuation of Homecoming, but – gasp - it also almost signaled as if Angie Fox is working towards the end of the Southern Ghost Hunter series, with maybe 1 or max 2 novels to round things up. What happened to Verity's mother-in-law and the mention of grandma Delia Long speaks to that too.
A lot of things from past novels come back or are explained, Frankie's heard a true solution for his grounding – though I wonder if he's able to do it. I'm thinking he'll decide to stay no matter what - and while annoying Duranja is upping his game to throw Verity in jail, he's being taken (even) less serious than before.
Don't get me wrong, I still liked Give up the Ghost, but I didn't * love * it, like I did other books in this series. A shame. I know this is an author that can do much better. I would actually re- read the rest of the series and do this with a very small percentage of novels. Book #11 in the Southern Ghost Hunter series might just be "good” this time, simply because all I've read before was excellent. I'm waiting for #12 with bated breath though. Angie Fox might have "Given up the Ghost" a bit this time in my critical opinion, but it's not just any author who ends up on my favourites list.
Rating: four out of the five available stars. If you're a Southern Ghost Hunter lover this title still can't be missed.
Disclaimer: I received an Advanced Readers Copy through Netgalley, but am leaving this honest review completely voluntarily.
Ever since I started to read books in their own language my Top 10 Urban Fantasy & Top 10 Paranormal ( cozy) Mystery has changed a lot. And even though Give up the Ghost isn't Angie Fox' best Southern Ghost Hunter book she still shows my in 2018 updated Favourites list (for both: Top Paranormal Mystery & Urban Fantasy authors) has her name on it for a reason.
If this is the first Angie Fox you're picking up, I'm telling you that this particular volume is probably the least 'stand-alone' of the bunch. Even though each book has its separate story and that mystery will be started and solved within the pages of that title, this novel has so many references to the longer red thread & events of previous books I'm not sure this is the way to begin Southern Ghost Hunter. Personally I think - despite different mysteries and/or murders in each book - this is a series which has buildups and larger stories throughout: newbies better start with title one. You won't regret it!
Angie Fox manages to write her characters to such an extent you really get a good idea of who they are. They'll remind you of a classmate, neighbour or family member and will infuriate or amuse you in equal ways. Authors that can make me laugh or anger, while keeping me on the edge of my seat are few and far between. But Angie Fox is definitely one of them, even in titles I consider “not as awesome” like Give up the Ghost. (PS. Definitely check out her Accidental Demon Slayer series too. Fun!)
Speaking of emotion : If you've loathed Virginia as much as I did in previous books you're definitely in for a surprise. Verity is finally standing up to her; speaking the truth she kept boiling inside for years. What's more: circumstances might force the Ice Queen of Sugarland to listen. Why!? Well, that is part of the plot, and would be a spoiler you'll never forgive.
It is one of the better parts of Give up the Ghost though, the book in which we finally learn what was in the small box, the last item in the Time Capsule of the previous book. During the waiting period for this title I wondered if it might be Frankie's favourite gun. But nope... It is an all-out feared 'artefact' in the town of Sugarland and bound to cause strife and misery amongst its inhabitants. It does. Not surprisingly – we're talking a Southern Ghost Hunter book here -, it is also the cause of a murder. One our favourite Ghost Whisperer Verity Long wants to solve more than ever. Because this time it could blacken big love Ellis' reputation.
Even though the charm of Sugarland's characters, the wonderful relationship between Ellis and Verity, the annoying antics of Frankie and the twists within the plot are part of this title again, Fox simply gave more in earlier titles. More of everything. More excitement. More (ghost)horror. More unexpected turns. Even more emotion. And that's despite the confrontation (s) between Virginia and Verity.
Not sure why I felt it like this, but to me Give up the Ghost not only felt as a weaker continuation of Homecoming, but – gasp - it also almost signaled as if Angie Fox is working towards the end of the Southern Ghost Hunter series, with maybe 1 or max 2 novels to round things up. What happened to Verity's mother-in-law and the mention of grandma Delia Long speaks to that too.
A lot of things from past novels come back or are explained, Frankie's heard a true solution for his grounding – though I wonder if he's able to do it. I'm thinking he'll decide to stay no matter what - and while annoying Duranja is upping his game to throw Verity in jail, he's being taken (even) less serious than before.
Don't get me wrong, I still liked Give up the Ghost, but I didn't * love * it, like I did other books in this series. A shame. I know this is an author that can do much better. I would actually re- read the rest of the series and do this with a very small percentage of novels. Book #11 in the Southern Ghost Hunter series might just be "good” this time, simply because all I've read before was excellent. I'm waiting for #12 with bated breath though. Angie Fox might have "Given up the Ghost" a bit this time in my critical opinion, but it's not just any author who ends up on my favourites list.
Rating: four out of the five available stars. If you're a Southern Ghost Hunter lover this title still can't be missed.
Disclaimer: I received an Advanced Readers Copy through Netgalley, but am leaving this honest review completely voluntarily.
September 3, 2022
A vicious Burn book, a murdered hairdresser, and a town roiling as past secrets come out. I was jazzed to pick up the latest ghostly murder mystery with the loveable amateur detecting team of Verity and ghost gangster Frankie.
The books are standalone murder and ghost mysteries, but there is Verity’s ongoing story and build of relationships particularly her side plot romance interest with sheriff’s deputy, Ellis Wydell, the brother of her ex-fiancé and son of the woman who has most made Verity’s life miserable. So, reading in order gives the background ongoing story.
In this latest, Give Up the Ghost, the daughter of a former gossip queen and blackmailer gets back her mother’s burn book that held all the secrets the hairdresser learned about the people in town, but then is murdered and the book is missing. Unfortunately for Ellis who is a sheriff’s deputy, he arrives on the scene to find his mother near the body and she has blood on her. He’s taken off the case, ordered to handle a stakeout outside of town, and can’t be there when his mother is deserted by the rest of the family and her so-called friends when pages from the burn book show up to tattle on her past.
Virginia Wydell has made Verity’s life a nightmare since she walked away from her wedding with Beau and started dating Beau’s brother, Ellis. Ellis knows what he’s asking when he calls on Verity to use her connection to the ghost world to get at the truth and help his mother. And, Verity’s heart is big enough to take care of the woman for Ellis’ sake.
But, one more startling bit ups the ante for Verity and Frankie. A ghost they go to interview knows how to free Frankie from Verity accidentally grounding his spirit to her family land. They have slowly become a partnership and they often fret about being stuck with each other, but when the possibility of freedom is offered? Neither are as excited as they thought they’d be.
Give Up the Ghost was a wonderful blend of ghost adventure, small town antics, murder mystery, and some character plotting. Virginia Wydell has been the bullying snobbish woman through the whole series so it was both gratifying and a bit of a shock to see her get her just desserts in this one. I didn’t figure out the murder mystery even though the suspect list wasn’t very long, but I also wasn’t surprised when the truth came out, either. The murder was backburnered for much of the book and I was more interested in what was going on with Virginia and Frankie’s storylines.
My biggest relief was discovering this was not the final book and there will be more ghostly mysteries to solve. Granted, it will be interesting to see what the reveals do to the rest of the series, but I am all in to find out. The Southern Ghost Hunter series falls in the paranormal cozy category, but it has some good excitement and even some creepy moments at times. I wholeheartedly recommend these to the cozy crowd, but even some of the urban fantasy lovers out there who like a good ghost story.
I rec'd an eARC via NetGalley to read in exchange for an honest review.
My full review will post at Caffeinated Reviewer Aug 24th.
The books are standalone murder and ghost mysteries, but there is Verity’s ongoing story and build of relationships particularly her side plot romance interest with sheriff’s deputy, Ellis Wydell, the brother of her ex-fiancé and son of the woman who has most made Verity’s life miserable. So, reading in order gives the background ongoing story.
In this latest, Give Up the Ghost, the daughter of a former gossip queen and blackmailer gets back her mother’s burn book that held all the secrets the hairdresser learned about the people in town, but then is murdered and the book is missing. Unfortunately for Ellis who is a sheriff’s deputy, he arrives on the scene to find his mother near the body and she has blood on her. He’s taken off the case, ordered to handle a stakeout outside of town, and can’t be there when his mother is deserted by the rest of the family and her so-called friends when pages from the burn book show up to tattle on her past.
Virginia Wydell has made Verity’s life a nightmare since she walked away from her wedding with Beau and started dating Beau’s brother, Ellis. Ellis knows what he’s asking when he calls on Verity to use her connection to the ghost world to get at the truth and help his mother. And, Verity’s heart is big enough to take care of the woman for Ellis’ sake.
But, one more startling bit ups the ante for Verity and Frankie. A ghost they go to interview knows how to free Frankie from Verity accidentally grounding his spirit to her family land. They have slowly become a partnership and they often fret about being stuck with each other, but when the possibility of freedom is offered? Neither are as excited as they thought they’d be.
Give Up the Ghost was a wonderful blend of ghost adventure, small town antics, murder mystery, and some character plotting. Virginia Wydell has been the bullying snobbish woman through the whole series so it was both gratifying and a bit of a shock to see her get her just desserts in this one. I didn’t figure out the murder mystery even though the suspect list wasn’t very long, but I also wasn’t surprised when the truth came out, either. The murder was backburnered for much of the book and I was more interested in what was going on with Virginia and Frankie’s storylines.
My biggest relief was discovering this was not the final book and there will be more ghostly mysteries to solve. Granted, it will be interesting to see what the reveals do to the rest of the series, but I am all in to find out. The Southern Ghost Hunter series falls in the paranormal cozy category, but it has some good excitement and even some creepy moments at times. I wholeheartedly recommend these to the cozy crowd, but even some of the urban fantasy lovers out there who like a good ghost story.
I rec'd an eARC via NetGalley to read in exchange for an honest review.
My full review will post at Caffeinated Reviewer Aug 24th.
September 18, 2025
3.25*
The Haunted Homecoming (book #10) was a real disappointment (compared to some of the other books in the series, at least). In a series as long as this one, perhaps not every book can be total winner, but boy, did the prior novel leave me in a state of mild annoyance and frustration. However, despite my faith in the author and this series as a whole, book #10 didn’t exactly leave me chomping at the bit to pick up the next book either. I hadn’t given up on it, but it sank a little lower on my never-ending TBR list.
Because of the lingering impression The Haunted Homecoming had left, I was more wary and critical when it came to opening the pages of Give Up the Ghost (book #11). I don’t think it helped matters when GUtG begins a few days after the prior novel ended – and we’re still talking about the time capsule. While there was a part of me that appreciated the fact that the author continued her overarching story without a big time-gap between the novels, another (and more dominant) part of me was less than thrilled that some of the drama from book #10 still wasn’t over. So, despite the shock of Virginia Wydell being found with blood on her hands, it was hard for me to get as hooked and invested in the first half of the story as I’d like.
I don’t think the characters (and their choices/behavior) exactly helped either.
I love Verity (I wouldn’t have read 11 books in the series if I didn’t), but I couldn’t help my frustration with her at certain points throughout the book. At first, Verity has to wrangle Frankie into following her house rules when it comes to his new animal obsession. During this process, Lucy (Verity’s skunk) goes crazy and acts up. She destroys Verity’s flowers, breaks her best plant pot, knocks over Verity’s trash can (spilling trash everywhere), pushing the sink faucet on (which causes Verity’s sink to fill and overflow onto her kitchen floor), etc. Now, I realize that Verity hasn’t been the strictest of pet parents in prior novels either, but the fact that Lucy’s “punishment” for doing all of these things and more was to be picked up and kissed on the top of her head, isn’t exactly how I’d expect that to go down, either. It just felt like Lucy needed some extra obedience training, and that Verity needed to be consistent with training her pet. How the outcome of the situation (or situations, since there was more than one incident) evolved irritated me. It wasn’t Lucy’s fault, but it is Verity’s, and I think she needed to be a more responsible pet owner if she wanted Lucy to obey (which Lucy never does).
Another issue I had with Verity stemmed from the fact that she thought that she was always “right.” There was no room for her assumptions to be wrong and she was going to pursue an idea doggedly until a new idea formed. While this tends to serve her well most of the time, Verity’s interactions with other characters sometimes came across as rude, invasive, or demanding, which didn’t quite match up with the ‘Southern Charm’ values Verity also insists she possesses. Admittedly, this is a bit nitpicky. Verity needs to be persistent if she wants to solve Twyla Sue’s murder and find Erma Sue’s old Burn Book before it does any more damage. So, this trait was both admirable at times as well as off-putting at others.
I still liked Verity and this story. I’ve praised her character time and time again in past reviews, so these were just a couple of issues I found throughout this book in particular.
Frankie is up to his normal trouble-making schemes, only this time, Frankie’s interest lies in his new horse Frisky Pete (and the whole menagerie of animals that follow after him). While I don’t think Frankie was quite as amusing as he’s been in prior novels, I did love how things evolved by the end. I loved seeing Frankie get some hopeful news about his freedom and I’m anxious to see how his character continues to grow and develop so that his freedom can be obtained. He’s made some baby steps in the right direction, so I’m exited to see what happens next with him.
With that being said, I feel like this novel started out with bit of a different tone than Angie Fox’s other novels. There was something a little less lighthearted, fun, or humorous than normal, even though the characters and their antics hadn’t changed much. By the end of the novel, I feel like the story had re-gained its spark and the mood shifted.
Unfortunately, Ellis isn’t in this novel very much at all. He’s mainly on a stakeout for another case and, with his mother a prime suspect anyway, he can’t be involved in the investigation of who killed Twyla Sue. We got a few quick and endearing glimpses of him, but there wasn’t a ton of relationship development happening between him and Verity. However, Ellis and Melody are apparently scheming and I see the possibility of a double-date with Ellis, Verity, Melody, and Alec Duranja in Verity and Duranja’s futures – Yikes!
I know that since Virginia is Ellis’ mother, it’s a bit complicated to be jumping for joy to watch Virginia’s fall from grace throughout this novel (or at least it is for Verity). However, it was still pretty great to see Virginia humbled just a bit. She had treated so many people so abominably, taking petty revenge (and priceless family heirlooms) from people ‘just because.’ Despite this, I also loved how Verity was kind and gracious to Virginia (regardless of the fact that Virginia had tried to ruin her as well). Virginia shows some real growth throughout this novel and I was thrilled to see her try to make things right, especially with Verity, by the end. Hopefully her evolution doesn’t end with this book and we see more of the same in the future (which will help if she ever becomes Verity’s mother-in-law).
Erma Sue (who passed away several years ago), kept a Burn Book. As a beautician, she was constantly hearing the gossip and secrets of others and she recorded this data in her book to use against them (blackmail, extortion, you name it). She was power-hungry and awful. But, with her death and the Book’s disappearance, things settled. As this story opens, the Burn Book of the past re-appears and Twyla Sue (her daughter) demands the Book’s return to her and her family. Although Twyla Sue (a beautician herself) has not used secrets and gossip to gain power like her mother has so far, her opinion on this has changed and she begins a Burn Book of her own. Both of these things put a target on Twyla Sue’s back and she’s killed because of the information she carries.
This is just the opener.
Because Twyla Sue’s ghost has yet to appear, we’re dependent on Erma Sue and her sister Rowena (who hated Erma Sue) for any information on the ghostly plane. And good gracious, what a hateful and vindictive pair the two sisters make!
In terms of the cozy mystery of who killed Twyla Sue, very few suspects are introduced to us to choose from. However, finding out ‘why’ and ‘how’ became an engaging romp, especially as we also got so much history and depth on Virginia’s past and why she became the person she is today.
I really enjoyed the ending. Not only was the fight between Verity, Frankie, and Erma Sue violent and malicious, but Verity almost dies (again). It was a thrilling conclusion to the Burn Book, but hopefully Erma Sue doesn’t unground herself again anytime soon! I also really enjoyed how much Virginia tries to right the wrong she did to Verity. It’s not perfect and she can’t get all of Verity’s grandmothers’ things back, but she makes an effort and gives back what she can, which meant the world to Verity. Plus, with Frankie on the right path toward his own freedom, it was touching and heartwarming all around.
I can’t say that this is the best book in the Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries series, but by the end, it definitely hooked me once more and I’m excited to see what comes next for our beloved gang of characters.
The Haunted Homecoming (book #10) was a real disappointment (compared to some of the other books in the series, at least). In a series as long as this one, perhaps not every book can be total winner, but boy, did the prior novel leave me in a state of mild annoyance and frustration. However, despite my faith in the author and this series as a whole, book #10 didn’t exactly leave me chomping at the bit to pick up the next book either. I hadn’t given up on it, but it sank a little lower on my never-ending TBR list.
Because of the lingering impression The Haunted Homecoming had left, I was more wary and critical when it came to opening the pages of Give Up the Ghost (book #11). I don’t think it helped matters when GUtG begins a few days after the prior novel ended – and we’re still talking about the time capsule. While there was a part of me that appreciated the fact that the author continued her overarching story without a big time-gap between the novels, another (and more dominant) part of me was less than thrilled that some of the drama from book #10 still wasn’t over. So, despite the shock of Virginia Wydell being found with blood on her hands, it was hard for me to get as hooked and invested in the first half of the story as I’d like.
I don’t think the characters (and their choices/behavior) exactly helped either.
I love Verity (I wouldn’t have read 11 books in the series if I didn’t), but I couldn’t help my frustration with her at certain points throughout the book. At first, Verity has to wrangle Frankie into following her house rules when it comes to his new animal obsession. During this process, Lucy (Verity’s skunk) goes crazy and acts up. She destroys Verity’s flowers, breaks her best plant pot, knocks over Verity’s trash can (spilling trash everywhere), pushing the sink faucet on (which causes Verity’s sink to fill and overflow onto her kitchen floor), etc. Now, I realize that Verity hasn’t been the strictest of pet parents in prior novels either, but the fact that Lucy’s “punishment” for doing all of these things and more was to be picked up and kissed on the top of her head, isn’t exactly how I’d expect that to go down, either. It just felt like Lucy needed some extra obedience training, and that Verity needed to be consistent with training her pet. How the outcome of the situation (or situations, since there was more than one incident) evolved irritated me. It wasn’t Lucy’s fault, but it is Verity’s, and I think she needed to be a more responsible pet owner if she wanted Lucy to obey (which Lucy never does).
Another issue I had with Verity stemmed from the fact that she thought that she was always “right.” There was no room for her assumptions to be wrong and she was going to pursue an idea doggedly until a new idea formed. While this tends to serve her well most of the time, Verity’s interactions with other characters sometimes came across as rude, invasive, or demanding, which didn’t quite match up with the ‘Southern Charm’ values Verity also insists she possesses. Admittedly, this is a bit nitpicky. Verity needs to be persistent if she wants to solve Twyla Sue’s murder and find Erma Sue’s old Burn Book before it does any more damage. So, this trait was both admirable at times as well as off-putting at others.
I still liked Verity and this story. I’ve praised her character time and time again in past reviews, so these were just a couple of issues I found throughout this book in particular.
Frankie is up to his normal trouble-making schemes, only this time, Frankie’s interest lies in his new horse Frisky Pete (and the whole menagerie of animals that follow after him). While I don’t think Frankie was quite as amusing as he’s been in prior novels, I did love how things evolved by the end. I loved seeing Frankie get some hopeful news about his freedom and I’m anxious to see how his character continues to grow and develop so that his freedom can be obtained. He’s made some baby steps in the right direction, so I’m exited to see what happens next with him.
With that being said, I feel like this novel started out with bit of a different tone than Angie Fox’s other novels. There was something a little less lighthearted, fun, or humorous than normal, even though the characters and their antics hadn’t changed much. By the end of the novel, I feel like the story had re-gained its spark and the mood shifted.
Unfortunately, Ellis isn’t in this novel very much at all. He’s mainly on a stakeout for another case and, with his mother a prime suspect anyway, he can’t be involved in the investigation of who killed Twyla Sue. We got a few quick and endearing glimpses of him, but there wasn’t a ton of relationship development happening between him and Verity. However, Ellis and Melody are apparently scheming and I see the possibility of a double-date with Ellis, Verity, Melody, and Alec Duranja in Verity and Duranja’s futures – Yikes!
I know that since Virginia is Ellis’ mother, it’s a bit complicated to be jumping for joy to watch Virginia’s fall from grace throughout this novel (or at least it is for Verity). However, it was still pretty great to see Virginia humbled just a bit. She had treated so many people so abominably, taking petty revenge (and priceless family heirlooms) from people ‘just because.’ Despite this, I also loved how Verity was kind and gracious to Virginia (regardless of the fact that Virginia had tried to ruin her as well). Virginia shows some real growth throughout this novel and I was thrilled to see her try to make things right, especially with Verity, by the end. Hopefully her evolution doesn’t end with this book and we see more of the same in the future (which will help if she ever becomes Verity’s mother-in-law).
Erma Sue (who passed away several years ago), kept a Burn Book. As a beautician, she was constantly hearing the gossip and secrets of others and she recorded this data in her book to use against them (blackmail, extortion, you name it). She was power-hungry and awful. But, with her death and the Book’s disappearance, things settled. As this story opens, the Burn Book of the past re-appears and Twyla Sue (her daughter) demands the Book’s return to her and her family. Although Twyla Sue (a beautician herself) has not used secrets and gossip to gain power like her mother has so far, her opinion on this has changed and she begins a Burn Book of her own. Both of these things put a target on Twyla Sue’s back and she’s killed because of the information she carries.
This is just the opener.
Because Twyla Sue’s ghost has yet to appear, we’re dependent on Erma Sue and her sister Rowena (who hated Erma Sue) for any information on the ghostly plane. And good gracious, what a hateful and vindictive pair the two sisters make!
In terms of the cozy mystery of who killed Twyla Sue, very few suspects are introduced to us to choose from. However, finding out ‘why’ and ‘how’ became an engaging romp, especially as we also got so much history and depth on Virginia’s past and why she became the person she is today.
I really enjoyed the ending. Not only was the fight between Verity, Frankie, and Erma Sue violent and malicious, but Verity almost dies (again). It was a thrilling conclusion to the Burn Book, but hopefully Erma Sue doesn’t unground herself again anytime soon! I also really enjoyed how much Virginia tries to right the wrong she did to Verity. It’s not perfect and she can’t get all of Verity’s grandmothers’ things back, but she makes an effort and gives back what she can, which meant the world to Verity. Plus, with Frankie on the right path toward his own freedom, it was touching and heartwarming all around.
I can’t say that this is the best book in the Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries series, but by the end, it definitely hooked me once more and I’m excited to see what comes next for our beloved gang of characters.
June 5, 2022
I discovered Angie Fox when I ran across her Accidental Demon Slayer series and read every one of the books. When I got through with those, I moved on to her other books. The Southern Ghost Hunter series is fabulous! I’ve read all of them as soon as I can get my hands on them. This is the 11th book in this series. And while she does a good job explaining the premise in each book so that you “could” technically read as a stand-alone book, I highly recommend reading the full series!
In this latest book we catch up with Verity, her hot cop boyfriend, her pet skunk, and of course you can’t forget her ghostly sidekick/mystery solving partner Frankie (don’t call him Frank, lol). Scandal has hit her small Southern town of Sugarland in the form of a long lost (literal) “book of secrets” that a hairdresser kept all the towns secrets and scandals that she heard while cutting hair. And she’d use the secrets she kept so carefully in her journal to blackmail fellow townspeople. After her death the book disappeared and everyone thought they were safe again. Until a time capsule from 1985 was unearthed early and it surfaced just long enough to have everyone worried about their secrets coming into the light of day again when the daughter of the hairdresser that kept the book claims it as hers. Unfortunately, she doesn’t get to keep it long as someone murders her and the book goes missing again. The Sugarland police are on the case, but Verity with Frankie’s help are the only ones who can get valuable information from the ghostly plane.
As always this is a fast paced, well written, and funny mystery that will keep you reading “just one more chapter” even if you should be doing something else. And for readers that have been following the series, there may be some pleasant surprises in store!
In this latest book we catch up with Verity, her hot cop boyfriend, her pet skunk, and of course you can’t forget her ghostly sidekick/mystery solving partner Frankie (don’t call him Frank, lol). Scandal has hit her small Southern town of Sugarland in the form of a long lost (literal) “book of secrets” that a hairdresser kept all the towns secrets and scandals that she heard while cutting hair. And she’d use the secrets she kept so carefully in her journal to blackmail fellow townspeople. After her death the book disappeared and everyone thought they were safe again. Until a time capsule from 1985 was unearthed early and it surfaced just long enough to have everyone worried about their secrets coming into the light of day again when the daughter of the hairdresser that kept the book claims it as hers. Unfortunately, she doesn’t get to keep it long as someone murders her and the book goes missing again. The Sugarland police are on the case, but Verity with Frankie’s help are the only ones who can get valuable information from the ghostly plane.
As always this is a fast paced, well written, and funny mystery that will keep you reading “just one more chapter” even if you should be doing something else. And for readers that have been following the series, there may be some pleasant surprises in store!
June 3, 2022
A Fun Tale of Reckoning and Redemption
Book 11 in Angie Fox’s Southern Ghost Hunter series delivers her usual humorous take on some serious subjects. This story finds Sugarland’s citizens sweating bullets and trying to flush out a murderer with a decades old motive. Unexpected alliances are formed to solve this case and no one is more surprised than series protagonist Verity Long, who might have gone too far in the ghostly realm to make it out alive, this time.
Verity’s unconventional entourage surrounds her as she delves into forgotten secrets and ends up exposing ugly truths about some of her most powerful enemies, bringing about a comeuppance long overdue. Fox’s brand of light-hearted humor, the lush landscape of Sugarland, and a well-crafted who-done-it make for a great little escape. Her writing style keeps the reader engaged, but is not so intricate as to make it difficult to follow.
The Southern Ghost Hunter series is a delightful collection of both heartwarming short stories for a quick read, and well written novel length tales ideal for some serious relaxation time. Although Give Up the Ghost can more than stand alone, it’s a great addition to this series.
If you enjoy cozy mysteries, this book is definitely for you. However, even if that’s not a genre usually on your reading list, this book might just change your mind. Adventure, light romance, a sprinkling of the paranormal, laugh out loud humor, rich characters, a quirky small-town setting, just the right amount of details, and a perfectly complex mystery make for a highly recommended addition to everyone’s reading list.
Book 11 in Angie Fox’s Southern Ghost Hunter series delivers her usual humorous take on some serious subjects. This story finds Sugarland’s citizens sweating bullets and trying to flush out a murderer with a decades old motive. Unexpected alliances are formed to solve this case and no one is more surprised than series protagonist Verity Long, who might have gone too far in the ghostly realm to make it out alive, this time.
Verity’s unconventional entourage surrounds her as she delves into forgotten secrets and ends up exposing ugly truths about some of her most powerful enemies, bringing about a comeuppance long overdue. Fox’s brand of light-hearted humor, the lush landscape of Sugarland, and a well-crafted who-done-it make for a great little escape. Her writing style keeps the reader engaged, but is not so intricate as to make it difficult to follow.
The Southern Ghost Hunter series is a delightful collection of both heartwarming short stories for a quick read, and well written novel length tales ideal for some serious relaxation time. Although Give Up the Ghost can more than stand alone, it’s a great addition to this series.
If you enjoy cozy mysteries, this book is definitely for you. However, even if that’s not a genre usually on your reading list, this book might just change your mind. Adventure, light romance, a sprinkling of the paranormal, laugh out loud humor, rich characters, a quirky small-town setting, just the right amount of details, and a perfectly complex mystery make for a highly recommended addition to everyone’s reading list.
June 18, 2022
Princess Fuzzypants here: This is a series that never fails to entertain as Verity and her gangster ghost Frankie right wrongs in both the living and spectral world. Throughout it all her primary nemesis has been Virginia who tried to ruin Verity for calling off the wedding to Virginia’s favourite son. The fact that the decent son is now Verity’s squeeze has not endeared her at all. But this time, it is Virginia who is sorely in need of help from Verity. She is found at the scene of a murder covered in the blood of her best friend.
It seems when digging up the time capsule, a nasty book resurfaces. The book was the source of the power of the mother of the deceased who looked upon Virginia as a daughter and taught her every nasty duplicitous trick in the book. Secrets are revealed that strip away Virginia’s ability to manipulate and harm the townspeople. Her victims, much to her surprise and chagrin, take great glee in her downfall. When the scope of how many people she has destroyed comes out, Verity finally gets the chance to tell her what she thinks. But Verity will not deny her assistance in spite of the horrible things Virginia has done.
There is a lot of action including the clearing of Virginia from the murder charge before Verity meets the original author of the book, ghostly Erma Sue, who makes Virginia at her worst look like a piker. And being dead has not really improved her. It is a toss up whether Verity is going to get out of this one alive.
Lots of fun, from beginning to end, with Virginia trying to be a better person and Frankie determined to do the same. We shall see. Five purrs and two paws up.
It seems when digging up the time capsule, a nasty book resurfaces. The book was the source of the power of the mother of the deceased who looked upon Virginia as a daughter and taught her every nasty duplicitous trick in the book. Secrets are revealed that strip away Virginia’s ability to manipulate and harm the townspeople. Her victims, much to her surprise and chagrin, take great glee in her downfall. When the scope of how many people she has destroyed comes out, Verity finally gets the chance to tell her what she thinks. But Verity will not deny her assistance in spite of the horrible things Virginia has done.
There is a lot of action including the clearing of Virginia from the murder charge before Verity meets the original author of the book, ghostly Erma Sue, who makes Virginia at her worst look like a piker. And being dead has not really improved her. It is a toss up whether Verity is going to get out of this one alive.
Lots of fun, from beginning to end, with Virginia trying to be a better person and Frankie determined to do the same. We shall see. Five purrs and two paws up.
June 21, 2022
What a fantastic book! Every single time I read one of these books, I just fall more and more in love with Sugarland, Verity, Lucy, Ellis, and Frankie. The premise is interesting. The characters are very well fleshed out, the mysteries are very real feeling and not so easy that you guess who did it in the first few pages. I want to live in Sugarland and be able to see and experience everything. To me, every time I read one of these books is like coming home.
Everything just feels real and authentic and wholesomely fun. Any outside stresses just go flying out the window. It's just me the reader visiting some old friends and having some laughs. It is the best feeling in the world and one of the biggest reasons that I read. I like that I can come visiting any time that I want to. To come check up on everyone and to be able to forget the real world for a while.
This mystery was really interesting, and I loved the message about being able to dig down deep to find the better you. To let all of your past selves go and just work on being a better person. Not perfect, but better. And I never thought I would see the day that Ellis' mama would help Verity out. Wow, I mean that is huge after everything she has put Verity through. I won't spoil anything because I hate that. But that certainly shocked me.
I absolutely loved this book. I highly recommend not only this book but every book in the series.
Thanks to Net Galley, the publisher, and Angie Fox, for the ability to read and review this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own and are completely honest.
Everything just feels real and authentic and wholesomely fun. Any outside stresses just go flying out the window. It's just me the reader visiting some old friends and having some laughs. It is the best feeling in the world and one of the biggest reasons that I read. I like that I can come visiting any time that I want to. To come check up on everyone and to be able to forget the real world for a while.
This mystery was really interesting, and I loved the message about being able to dig down deep to find the better you. To let all of your past selves go and just work on being a better person. Not perfect, but better. And I never thought I would see the day that Ellis' mama would help Verity out. Wow, I mean that is huge after everything she has put Verity through. I won't spoil anything because I hate that. But that certainly shocked me.
I absolutely loved this book. I highly recommend not only this book but every book in the series.
Thanks to Net Galley, the publisher, and Angie Fox, for the ability to read and review this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own and are completely honest.
July 2, 2022
Update: Great story to include in this series. I really love this bunch of misfits. My one complaint is that we didn't see Ellis and Verity together much. Looking forward to the next one but dreading it being the last book.
XX Why oh why do we have to wait until May 2022? It's sooooo far away. Sounds like it's already complete. I need answers. I'm going to pout like Frankie now. Just FYI: there's not been enough Ellis in the last couple of books so if you're still editing keep that in mind, lol. Maybe elope? I will be sad when this series is finished though. I've loved all the characters, well....most anyway. There are a few scary ones I could do without.
XX Why oh why do we have to wait until May 2022? It's sooooo far away. Sounds like it's already complete. I need answers. I'm going to pout like Frankie now. Just FYI: there's not been enough Ellis in the last couple of books so if you're still editing keep that in mind, lol. Maybe elope? I will be sad when this series is finished though. I've loved all the characters, well....most anyway. There are a few scary ones I could do without.
October 19, 2023
Love this hilarious cozy mystery series. I always find myself laughing at the situations Verity gets herself into. A very enjoyable read.
June 17, 2022
Southern Ghost Hunter Series:
“Give Up the Ghost” is the eleventh book in Angie Fox’s The Southern Ghost Hunter Series. I haven’t read the entire series, but I’ve read a few of the books.
One of the nice things about the series is that each book stands alone, and you can read them out of order.
The series set up:
Verity Long not only sees ghosts, but she also talks to them. Her resident ghost Frankie, a gangster from the 1920s, is stuck on her property, and sometimes, he unwilling helps her solved mysteries. She has a pet skunk and lives in a small Southern town where everyone knows everyone else’s business.
That’s about all you need to know to pick up this book and start reading.
What I liked:
The books in this series I’ve read have been fun with action and enough zany characters to make the people of Stars Hollow jealous.
When I was growing up, I used to spend summers with my aunt and uncle, who lived in a small town where people knew each other. Gossip could definitely cause problems in a closely knit community. There's plenty of shocking gossip in this story.
When an old book that documents everyone’s secrets turns up in town, people get nervous or horrified depending on their secrets. Exposing people’s secrets is a nasty business.
When personal revelations come to light, characters have to face their past. Of course, this is a cozy mystery, so someone is going to die.
What I wasn’t Crazy About:
The mystery wasn’t too difficult to figure out, but something tells me that if you love this series, you’re probably more invested in the people and their stories than you are solving the mystery.
If you are someone who wants a good puzzle, this might be too simple for you.
Verity, the protagonist, rubbed me the wrong way. She preached at everyone as if she were a guidance councilor, trying to nudge people in the change she thought they should make.
This personality quirk annoyed one character after another. Using this tacked didn’t work out too well for her.
One more thing, Verity solved the murder about 85% of the way into the novel. And, yes, the story kept going. There were some details that needed to be wrapped up. I would have preferred the unfinished story business to take place earlier.
Recommendation:
If you like cozy mysteries, the story is fun, lighthearted, and enough quirky characters to satisfy cozy mystery readers.
Frankie, her ghost friend, is amusing with a gray morality and a snarky sense of humor. If you’ve already read some books in this series, you know what to expect.
If you are looking for a cozy mystery series to read, you might start with the first book “Southern Spirits."
A big thanks to NetGalley and Moose Island Books for an ARC copy of "Give Up the Ghost."
“Give Up the Ghost” is the eleventh book in Angie Fox’s The Southern Ghost Hunter Series. I haven’t read the entire series, but I’ve read a few of the books.
One of the nice things about the series is that each book stands alone, and you can read them out of order.
The series set up:
Verity Long not only sees ghosts, but she also talks to them. Her resident ghost Frankie, a gangster from the 1920s, is stuck on her property, and sometimes, he unwilling helps her solved mysteries. She has a pet skunk and lives in a small Southern town where everyone knows everyone else’s business.
That’s about all you need to know to pick up this book and start reading.
What I liked:
The books in this series I’ve read have been fun with action and enough zany characters to make the people of Stars Hollow jealous.
When I was growing up, I used to spend summers with my aunt and uncle, who lived in a small town where people knew each other. Gossip could definitely cause problems in a closely knit community. There's plenty of shocking gossip in this story.
When an old book that documents everyone’s secrets turns up in town, people get nervous or horrified depending on their secrets. Exposing people’s secrets is a nasty business.
When personal revelations come to light, characters have to face their past. Of course, this is a cozy mystery, so someone is going to die.
What I wasn’t Crazy About:
The mystery wasn’t too difficult to figure out, but something tells me that if you love this series, you’re probably more invested in the people and their stories than you are solving the mystery.
If you are someone who wants a good puzzle, this might be too simple for you.
Verity, the protagonist, rubbed me the wrong way. She preached at everyone as if she were a guidance councilor, trying to nudge people in the change she thought they should make.
This personality quirk annoyed one character after another. Using this tacked didn’t work out too well for her.
One more thing, Verity solved the murder about 85% of the way into the novel. And, yes, the story kept going. There were some details that needed to be wrapped up. I would have preferred the unfinished story business to take place earlier.
Recommendation:
If you like cozy mysteries, the story is fun, lighthearted, and enough quirky characters to satisfy cozy mystery readers.
Frankie, her ghost friend, is amusing with a gray morality and a snarky sense of humor. If you’ve already read some books in this series, you know what to expect.
If you are looking for a cozy mystery series to read, you might start with the first book “Southern Spirits."
A big thanks to NetGalley and Moose Island Books for an ARC copy of "Give Up the Ghost."
October 9, 2024
Slowly catching up with this series! I think I only have a little bit more and then I will be at the most recent release! Weeeeee!
We're back at it with Verity, Frankie, and Lucy the skunk. We continue right where we left off from the last book. It is Homecoming and they are opening the time capsule. What should be fun turns into revealing the burn book of one of the biggest gossips and blackmailers the town ever seen. When this book is revealed someone will do whatever it takes to keep their secret untold even if that means murdering and stealing the book. With a killer on the loose and a book of secrets in bad hands...the town is in crisis. Verity and her gang will have to brave a side of Sugarland they have never seen before.
I loved that this time capsule has been nothing but trouble. First there was a body hidden in there in the last book and now a book full of townie's secrets from years previous. Ooooo. I loved seeing the darkside of this town. Everyone has secrets! But enough to murder for? Mmmm.
My favorite part of the book? Virginia, Verity's monster-in-law, has not only made Verity's life a nightmare, but so many others. We get to see karma FINALLY catch up to her. I won't spoil and say what, but karma certainly has found her. Bless Ellis and Verity for wanting to help Virginia....they are better people than I am.
Gotta love all these characters. Frankie the ghost. Lucy the skunk. Ellis the smoking hot cop. Verity our heroine. Love them so much. Don't tell Frankie this....but I hope he never gets freed from Verity's property LOL.
Can I just say.....I'm def in love with that fact that Verity's sister is dating Alec. It's beautiful and hilarious. Verity and Alec hate each other SOOOO MUCH, but I love seeing him be so soft and loving to her adorable sister.
The mystery was a little flat for me on this one. I think we had only two serious suspects. One you just KNOW couldn't have done it. The other one? I didn't want it to be them. I wish we had some sort of twist but sadly no.
The narrator was fantastic as per normal. Her voices are great.
All-in-all, the mystery fell a little flat with me, but I still really enjoyed the story! I love these characters and I love this town (even though some of them are bananas). I'll give this 4 stars.
ONE WORD SUMMARY: Quirky
We're back at it with Verity, Frankie, and Lucy the skunk. We continue right where we left off from the last book. It is Homecoming and they are opening the time capsule. What should be fun turns into revealing the burn book of one of the biggest gossips and blackmailers the town ever seen. When this book is revealed someone will do whatever it takes to keep their secret untold even if that means murdering and stealing the book. With a killer on the loose and a book of secrets in bad hands...the town is in crisis. Verity and her gang will have to brave a side of Sugarland they have never seen before.
I loved that this time capsule has been nothing but trouble. First there was a body hidden in there in the last book and now a book full of townie's secrets from years previous. Ooooo. I loved seeing the darkside of this town. Everyone has secrets! But enough to murder for? Mmmm.
My favorite part of the book? Virginia, Verity's monster-in-law, has not only made Verity's life a nightmare, but so many others. We get to see karma FINALLY catch up to her. I won't spoil and say what, but karma certainly has found her. Bless Ellis and Verity for wanting to help Virginia....they are better people than I am.
Gotta love all these characters. Frankie the ghost. Lucy the skunk. Ellis the smoking hot cop. Verity our heroine. Love them so much. Don't tell Frankie this....but I hope he never gets freed from Verity's property LOL.
Can I just say.....I'm def in love with that fact that Verity's sister is dating Alec. It's beautiful and hilarious. Verity and Alec hate each other SOOOO MUCH, but I love seeing him be so soft and loving to her adorable sister.
The mystery was a little flat for me on this one. I think we had only two serious suspects. One you just KNOW couldn't have done it. The other one? I didn't want it to be them. I wish we had some sort of twist but sadly no.
The narrator was fantastic as per normal. Her voices are great.
All-in-all, the mystery fell a little flat with me, but I still really enjoyed the story! I love these characters and I love this town (even though some of them are bananas). I'll give this 4 stars.
ONE WORD SUMMARY: Quirky
Displaying 1 - 30 of 190 reviews